About the Pyjama Foundation
Background
Established
in September 2004, the Pyjama Foundation has volunteers providing extra reading
aloud experiences for children in care in Australia to assist them towards
becoming happy, confident young people with a love of learning.
Puzzles, games and puppets are part of the storytelling method so that
children are interacting with the love of learning process and the facilitator.
The program is so much more than just reading, it is all about
Vision
To expand knowledge empowering all children in care to fulfill their potential.
Mission
“To create equal opportunities, knowledge and empowerment for all children”.
At The Pyjama Foundation we want to ignite a passion for reading and learning by sending our volunteer READING ALOUD angels to the homes of all children in foster and alternative care once a week.
Our aims
As an organisation we strive to see:
- every child in care experiencing our READING ALOUD program
- secure locations for volunteers to gather and read aloud
- national recognition of the benefits of READING ALOUD to all children
- sustainable support for children in care
- the knowledge and expertise of all our people utilised for the maximum benefit of children in care
- well-measured future growth
- innovative use of technology
- employees, volunteers and our children all fulfilling their potential
- an atmosphere of co-operation and mutual respect for all
- open and honest communication
- sustainable strategic alliances with industry and commerce
- respect for the physical, social and economic environments of both local
and global communities
By the end of 2008 we want to have 2000 angels READING ALOUD to 3000 children
Why help the Pyjama Foundation
We
are the only reading program with mentors (Pyjama Angels) who spend time with a
child in care reading.
The Pyjama Foundation is supporting foster children, referred by the State Government Department of Child Safety, with positive role modelling.
In many cases we are able to assist bridge a gap when a child is moved between foster homes. Our angels go with them providing a service of continuity to assist them as they adjust.
Children need to be regularly talked to and sung to. They cannot learn to communicate well unless we do.
Our READING ALOUD angels visit Foster children on a weekly basis to read aloud
to them.
They seek to:
- encourage the children they read for to develop their imagination, creativity and individuality
- inspire confidence, a love of learning and a belief in self-worth
- empower them to fulfil their potential
The age range of our Volunteer Angels is 18 – 76 years. The range of their qualifications is diverse and they are made up of business and academic professionals and students.
- As at October 2007 there are 392 Volunteer Angels
- 200 Angels are Reading Aloud weekly
- 350 Children have been placed with an Angel
- 2000 books are Read Loud to children each week
- 450 children are in our program
